Opinions on Appliances

[fivechickens]

I know this isn't home & garden but I need opinions.

We are having a house built, which should be done within the month, we need to buy a new refrigerator and washer & dryer.

Refrigerator:

French door with bottom freezer?

OR

Side by side?

I am leaning towards the side by side because, from what I have noticed, they are almost half the cost. So if you have either tell me what you like/don't like about it.

HE top-loader or front loader:

Which is better? I know the biggest complaint about the front loader is the mold/musty smell build up but I recently read the newer models have 'solved' this problem.

Thanks for your opinions.

[revolution]

French door - BOTTOM, definitely bottom. The side by side you have to be careful arranging stuff, you can't shove a pizza box in there, and some big pans don't fit either. It is a pita from everything I've seen and heard. I have the bottom freezer and it is my dream fridge. I don't want it to ever ever leave me.

Can't help with the washer. I've only had a top loader and can't compare the top to the front loader. I do like the top loader though and have no issues with it.

[fuckyourcouch]

french door fridge for the win. i can't stand side by sides because nothing fits in them. we had a fully jam packed side by side when we got our french door LG fridge, and when we moved everything over, it was less than half full (even the freezer).

we just bought a new w/d and after much deliberation and research regarding the top vs front load options, we went with front load. we've been very happy so far and no smell yet.

[Yankees21]

I would say French door for the fridge- we have a side by side and it is hard to fit very much in the freezer portion.

[VeryViolet]

Definitely get the French Door if you can swing it. If not go with the freezer on the bottom. Do not get a side by side, they SUCK so much.

I am bad about remembering to keep the door open so I would get a top loading HE machine. I lust for one but our washer and dryer are new and functional so I can't justify (let's be honest I can't convince DH) spending the $$.

[KKD]

Refrigerator: French door (or even a regular door) with freezer on bottom. We have a side-by-side and while we don't have any problems fitting everything in, if given the choice, I'd opt for a bottom freezer. (That is what we bought for our old house, but our current house came with the side-by-side.)

Washer: I have only ever had a top loader, but if I were buying a new one, I'd probably get a front loader. My parents have one at their beach house, and we just have to remember to leave the door open, which bothers me a bit only because I hate when things (cabinets, closets, shower curtains) are left open. If newer models allow you to keep the door closed, even better.

[lilybug]

Fridge - Bottom freezer for sure. We used to have a side-by-side and it was so annoyingly narrow.

Washer - I prefer top loader, mostly because I use cloth diapers.

[orangeblossom]

I've had a side-by-side and a French Door. For me, I'd choose a French door every time. I love, love, love my fridge. It was like night and day when we goth the new fridge.

I have a top load. We recently had to get a new dryer, and he was saying that the newer top loaders are just as efficient as the front loader, and if you really want to pay more attention to the washer. Basically, if the washer is really good at wringing out the water, it makes for less work for the dryer.

[Deleted]

French door with bottom freezer.

HE front loader. They just wash better.

[mrssandro]

Side by Side for us. We like it.

We also have a Front Loader. We like it.

We are always different than the Sheep.

[MixedBerryJam]

OMG I can't believe this is even a question! At one time I lived in military family housing, and had a side-by-side that I detested. The light blew out and when I went to replace it the bulb broke in my hands. So I called the housing office and asked them to come fix it. Instead they sent a new fridge. Not a french door (drool) but at least not a side-by-side. OMG I was so glad to get rid of that awful thing. They don't hold ANYTHING!

[pantsparty]

Side by sides suck by sucks.

[lys]

I like the Kenmore French door refrigerator with bottom freezer. LOVE the meat/cheese drawer!
LG front loaders for washer and dryer. This has the most versatility for designing your settings depending on what you are washing.
There is no problem with mustiness with front loaders if you wipe the interior of the glass door and rubber ring - then keep the door cracked open.
Easy to do cloth diapers in this machine!

[Deleted]

French door and top loader. My front loader had many issues and would always smell like mold no matter how many times I cleaned it.

[demofea01]

I kind of hate my side my side fridge. I've never had one with a drawer though.

I love my Samsung front loaders. We've had them for over two years; I leave the door open and wipe the gasket down every so often and have never had a problem with mold or funky smells. I think newer front loaders aren't as prone to the mold or odor.

[WOT?*]

French door with bottom freezer; I have a side-by-side and regret the purchase.

Love my HE top-loader but love MIL's front loader even more.

[angelaa73]

here's the fridge that arrived today. feels good to open a fridge door ALL THE WAY. the new washer dryer combo are here as well. i went with top loading. i forget why.